Barberry Herb – Uses And Side Effects

Barberry Herb

Barberry comes from the roots, wood, and bark of Mahonia vulgaris and M. aquitolium (also called Berberis aquifolium and B. vulgaris). Native to Europe and some parts of North America, Mahonia species are popular landscape shrubs. The plants have edible, red-orange, fruit like berries. The root wood of the barberry plant gets its bright golden-yellow color from berberine, which is added to some eye­drops and eyewashes.

Common doses of Barberry

Barberry comes as:

  • tablets (400 milligrams)
  • liquid
  • extract
  • tea

Some experts recommend the following dose :-

  • 400 milligrams taken orally daily.

Why people use Barberry herb

Side effects of Barberry

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of barberry:

  • bloody urine, painful urination, flank pain, and fever (symptoms of kidney inflammation)
  • diarrhea
  • confusion
  • poisoning
  • Barberry also can cause miscarriage and stupor.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you’re taking.

Important points to remember

  • Don’t use barberry if you’re pregnant because it can cause miscarriage.
  • Use this herb cautiously if you’re a female of childbearing age.
  • Seek immediate medical help if you experience poisoning symptoms (diarrhea, bloody urine, painful urination, fever, flank pain, confusion, and stupor).
  • Don’t consume large amounts of barberry because it contains potentially toxic chemicals.

What the research shows

Medical experts don’t have enough information about barberry to recommend it for treating diarrhea or other conditions. In one study, barberry proved more effective than a placebo in resolving diarrhea caused by cholera. However, it wasn’t more effective than a placebo when diarrhea stemmed from other causes.

Other names for Barberry : –

Other names for barberry include berberry, common barberry, European barberry, jaundice berry, Oregon grape, pepperridge bush, sour-spine, sowberry, trailing mahonia, and wood sour.

A product containing barberry is sold as Oregon Grape Root.

Useful References

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